Stage Set for Indo-Pak series (23 May 1997)

Report : The Dawn

Stage set for Indo-Pakistan cricket series

By Kishore Bhimani

CALCUTTA, May 23: There is an interesting quotation in a Calcutta English language daily. It has Saeed Anwar saying "I didn`t expect the crowd to be so warm...perhaps the Chepauk crowd has taken the first steps towards equating an India-Pakistan match with any other game...?" One can go a step further: one is almost tempted to state that the happenings at Chepauk, the spirit in which the game was played...Rahul Dravid with cramps being administered to by Moin Khan and other opposition players...the applause for fine fielding on both sides...has set the stage for a resumption of the Indo-Pak- istan series. After all, this match being treated like any other match means, by logical extension that a series between the two countries can also be reacted to like any other cricketing engagement.

Senior cricketing personalities of bygone years have almost to a man gone on record as saying that Saeed Anwar`s was one of finest innings played ever in limited-overs cricket in what was certainly one of the great games of the genre. It has also in its own way given Pakistan the boost they need to go into the best-ofthree finals with their flag flying high.

The first leg will be decided at Mohali on Saturday evening. It is yet another ground with a quick outfield and a firm, true wicket and those who like to see plenty of runs scored in one-day matches will be thrilled with the prospect of yet another match with a total tally of near 600 runs.

Sri Lanka are at their best bowling strength with Cheminda Vaas at the peak of a very illustrious career and at his restrictive best. Sajeewa de Silva has improved with every outing, adjusting to the peculiar needs of limited overs cricket. But it is the spin bowlers for the islanders on whom the game could depend. Muralitharan has traditionally always been less of a threat to the sub-continental teams than to the rest. And Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya will have to be at their best to keep the likes of Afridi, Anwar, Inzamam and Ijaz in check.

Conversely, Aravinda and Jayasuriya are amongst the finest players of spin bowling in modern cricket. And they could quite easily neutralise the superb aerial geometry of Saqlain Mushtaq. Aaqib began badly in the tournament but has now settled down. But against Ataputtu and Ranatunga, who both relish the ball coming on to the but, as for that matter do the other Sri Lankans, he will have to concentrate on variety of line and pace.

It is also interesting to ponder whether the marathon at Chepauk has done any harm to Anwar and whether the long rest will be in favour of the Sri Lankans. Whichever way it goes, it will be a great match.

Source:: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn/)